Category: Running Long Distance At Middle Age

I wanted to run for myself and learn to run long distance….at 51. So this is my personal stories of starting from scratch to learn to endurance run, long distances. I started at 51. I tried to do three separate Ultramarathons in three separate years (the same one) and DNF’ed (& DFL) out of all three events. Yet somehow I was invited to a running camp in 2025 at which my foot injury turned out to simply be tight leg muscles and a patient coach started steering me better than I could have. In 2026 I finally finished my first ultramarathon. I had skipped even ever doing a marathon….I like trail running and I’m SLOW. So here’s my stories-

Starting Again From Baseline

I DNF’d my first ultramarathon. So after a few weeks, I’ve gotten up again, dusted myself off and started training again.

Ultra DNF- Rookie Mistakes or Epic Learning Experience

So I DNF’d my very first UltraMarathon, dropping for pain in my ankles less than halfway through the event. What went wrong? What can I do better next time?

When My Training Might Not Be Enough

With a looong first run/race in the last 12 years coming up in two weeks, the author tries not to start an excuse matrix.

Hill Day- Running Ryan Mountain

Learning to hill run again doesn’t mean I’m actually running up hills a lot….hiking and scrambling count!

Running Pavement

The author has started to find some kind of basic running routine.

Adding Mileage

The running maxim is not to add more than 10% mileage per week to the running schedule. I’m trying to train for long distance and stick with the maxim.

Stumbling To Run

There’s small leaps forward as I try to start running after knee pain and high July temperatures where I live.

Running Toward An End Goal

Couch to Ultra….NOT recommended

It’s Not Always A Smooth Start

I’ll be the first to admit I’m not a huge fan of running in high heat, high humidity, on concrete and in the jungle. Is that a real combination….yup it sure is. And for this gringo, it’s just not that much fun. See, I’m determined to try to keep my running fun. It really hasn’t […]

Adding Mileage

Some folks think running isn’t hard or complicated. Just go out there and do it. I think you have to go out and start smartly to build a base of mileage and add speed – especially if you are overweight, have current or pre-existing injuries, have not run in a very long time or maybe […]